tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8052308.post1508187933441193521..comments2024-01-24T06:50:01.683-06:00Comments on Samizdat Blog: Louisville NotebookArchambeauhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17273511539172747550noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8052308.post-9583989913170588282012-03-19T11:00:35.876-05:002012-03-19T11:00:35.876-05:00I'll say this: Critchley did get me interested...I'll say this: Critchley did get me interested in reading McCarthy!Archambeauhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17273511539172747550noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8052308.post-43478737620930853882012-03-18T17:46:45.092-05:002012-03-18T17:46:45.092-05:00I realized even as I posted that I was ignoring yo...I realized even as I posted that I was ignoring your point -- the quality of the piece as a response to McCarthy doesn't add or subtract from its value as a plenary talk. I plead the spur of coincidence (that one of the few critical pieces I've even looked at in the last year should make an appearance on a poetry blog).<br /><br />Sounds like Critchley could indeed speak interestingly to such a conference, should he deign to.Vance Maverickhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07477306994564623348noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8052308.post-74994084378184456282012-03-18T16:39:30.323-05:002012-03-18T16:39:30.323-05:00It was the combination of inconsideration (not man...It was the combination of inconsideration (not many people in that room had really read the novel, and as you know, the piece is written for people who've read it) and entitlement (I don't have to follow through on my commitments) that got to me. That, and what I think of as a truly asinine aside about the art world.<br /><br />That said, I don't want to slam Critchley in a general way. I think he's an important figure, and I think it's very important for someone like him to have an influence on philosophy in America, which really doesn't have much of a continental philosophy tradition. Not long ago I was part of a search committee looking for an assistant professor of continental philosophy, and it was instructive to see where the applicants came from (the New School, where Critchley is employed; Vanderbilt; the big Catholic Universities, and a few others) and where they don't come from (the ivies, Stanford, the UC schools, etc.).<br /><br />Of course Critchley wasn't addressing American philosophers: he was addressing people from English and other language departments, where the continental tradition has had its enthusiastic, but sometimes amateurish, reception. <br /><br />Best,<br /><br />BobArchambeauhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17273511539172747550noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8052308.post-63479815799204999962012-03-18T12:33:34.092-05:002012-03-18T12:33:34.092-05:00I think I just read that piece of Critchley's,...I think I just read that piece of Critchley's, at the end of McCarthy's <i>Men in Space</i>. I was frustrated by the book -- I think McCarthy still hasn't found his way, despite obvious talent, and that was his first book, halting and timid -- so was unimpressed by Critchley's overpraise. Don't blame you in the least for your reaction.Vance Maverickhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07477306994564623348noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8052308.post-81920749447727537462012-02-26T20:18:53.634-06:002012-02-26T20:18:53.634-06:00I was out at dinner with Alan twice, and he came t...I was out at dinner with Alan twice, and he came to my panel and asked a sharp question about Ezra Pound. He is the spiritus loci of the conference, for sure.<br /><br />In fact, I've always believed there are two Louisville conferences: the one on campus, and the one at Alan's party afterwards.<br /><br />Hope to see you there next year!<br /><br />B.Archambeauhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17273511539172747550noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8052308.post-8172985270687246532012-02-26T20:07:31.191-06:002012-02-26T20:07:31.191-06:00I miss me some Alan Golding. That conference was ...I miss me some Alan Golding. That conference was my crucible. Now I'm raw and uncrushed again. Time to re-up.Philip Metreshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05449159681282927289noreply@blogger.com